Well HT,
I've used Dish Network for some time now... our system is labeled "Dish 500" . It has two LNB's (2 eye's to the Satellites). Our package was once called "America top 150".
I just looked on Dish Network's web site... seems the closest package to what we have is now called "America Top 250" Our plan does not give us HDTV programing... but it is digital quality... far better picture quality than we get over the air... except for the HDTV programing that now is offered over the air.
I can't tell you much about the VuQube except what I have learned from those who have it. They say its the best ! Simple to get the Satellite signal... just set it out side the RV and cable it to the tv (Probably has a box inside as well) and let the LiL' Qube do its thing finding the Satellites.
I've seen them setting in the grass.... on picnic tables... on a small folding table... yep... I agree with you it would work well on top the RV. They are light weight... easy to handle... and require no other source to power them up except for the single cable.
I on the other hand... being quite "Thrifty" yeah I know... the other word is Cheap... plucked the dish off the side of the house when I started full timing... stuck the receiver in the cabinet of our Bighorn... and connected the cables... My Receiver is very old... could be near 8 years old.. maybe more. It's worked fine for us... NOTE: the reciever I use is able to work with a UHF remote control. I have the Reciever located behind the TV... out of a line of sight of a standard type (Infra-Red) remote control. The UHF type remote can send the signal through walls... in case you only want only one receiver but want to send the signal through a cable to another TV location. Dish Network charges a fee for each receiver... But with two receivers.. two TV's can watch two different programs at the same time...
What I do to set up... align the portable Dish I have....
I use a typical House tri-pod mount... I put a short mast in the Tri-Pod mount and attach the Dish to the mast... attached the cable from the Docking Station and to the cable coming from the LNB's... I then use the on screen menu from the receiver... type in the Zip Code where I am parked... to get the three Numbers so I can align the Dish to the Satellite. Azimuth Angle... Elevation Angle.. Skew.... I then set the dish to those adjustments... attach a Signal finder between the LNB's and the Cable from the RV... this signal finder will aid you in getting the highest signal possible... Then I begin moving the dish back and forth... up and down a little until I get a good signal...
The Mast the dish is attached to... should be Plumb... This helps in finding the satellite better... the Signal finder is a cheap analogue meter... it's not very bright... it'll show a strong signal... but it doesn't tell you if it's the RIGHT Satellite... the TV meter that you watch from the Receiver is far smarter... it clearly tells you if you've found the correct satellite.
Complicated sounding isn't it.... actually it's not... once you've done it a few dozen times.
...........................OR.....................
You attach the VuQube... to a cable... and let the LiL' Rascal do it's thing... have a beer and watch your favorite home shopping program.... or Food Network... or Speed channel.... or ..... or......
Now ain't ya sorry ya ask....
Marv